Features

MILAN, Italy — With soft fabrics, jewelled hues and fluid shapes, Giorgio Armani's men's show in Milan on Monday was an ode to elegance and freedom of movement.

The legendary Italian designer, now 90, presented a fall-winter 2025-26 collection comprising belted baggy trousers and layered loose jackets, knits and scarves.

A seasonal palette of greys and browns was punctuated with sumptuous velvets, wools and silks in ruby red, emerald green and royal blue.

"The catwalk for me is a proposal, my vision of the current moment, which this season is particularly free from constraints and conventions," Armani said.

"I like to imagine the clothes that enter the wardrobes and lives of men of different ages and attitudes, and that are interpreted by each according to their own personality.

"Making fashion, for me, means creating tools that accompany life, making it ideally more beautiful and comfortable."

Actors Adrien Brody and Matt Smith were in the audience for the show, a highlight of five days of fashion in the northern Italian city.

Sharp-suited snappers 

"Wild elegance" had been the theme at Prada on Sunday, with Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons offering up sheepskins worn over bare chests, straight-cut cigarette pants and coloured or patterned cowboy boots.

There were knitted sweaters, fitted leather jackets, nylon bomber jackets and tartan coats, a clash of styles shown off on a catwalk spread over three floors built out of scaffolding in the huge hall of the Prada Foundation.

In a world dominated by artificial intelligence, "the idea is to save the human instinct to liberate creativity and spontaneity", Miuccia Prada said backstage afterwards.

On Saturday, meanwhile, Dolce and Gabbana drew inspiration from the glamorous films of Italian director Federico Fellini for their show at the Metropole, the brand's headquarters and a former cinema.

In a nod to "La Dolce Vita" character Paparazzo, who gave his name to pushy photographers worldwide, models dressed as sharp-suited snappers crowded the entrance to the runway.

Lightbulbs popped as models walked the red-carpet in the imagined style of off-duty actors, a mix of jeans, trainers and luxurious coats.

Day segued to night with cropped jackets styled with caps and bags giving way to tailored, loose-legged three-piece suits and finally, sharp and sexy evening wear.

Set to a soundtrack drawn from Fellini's films, there were tuxedos, bow-ties and silk shirts, waistcoats worn with nothing underneath and long scarves thrown over one shoulder.

The palette was mostly black and grey, but with flashes of brilliance from glittering, oversized brooches, fastenings or necklaces.

Focusing on clean lines and luxury materials, the show was a confirmation of a return to basics begun in early 2023 by the Italian designers, after a brief foray into flasher streetwear aimed at younger buyers.

By Dina Halaseh
and Daniella Sweidan,

Educational Psychologist

Every year I write in Family Flavours about meaningful gifts you can gift your child that don’t include materialistic gifts — this year is no different.

This is the perfect season to strengthen family bonds and create memories they’ll cherish with warmth and gratitude.

This time, I will di cuss how parents can build stronger relationships and focus on what is important: Slowing down and connecting with family.

Here are a few ways to develop new traditions that

foster family bonding and create lasting memories:

1.Cooking together

Even from the early age of two, my son was included in the kitchen. 

Now that we have two boys, we make sure to spend time baking cookies right before Christmas! Cooking together offers a way to engage with your children.

This also builds many skills including measuring, counting, planning and keeping track of the next steps, following instructions and many more!

2. Reading books and storytelling

For parents who regularly read, try switching to seasonal books, and for those who don’t, let this be your sign to start! Reading seasonal books or stories is another tradition that can create lasting memories while reinforcing the values you wish to share with your children.

Seasonal books usually discuss themes of kindness and giving.

In addition to the fun of reading books and sharing stories, reading creates an environment where conversation flows more easily.

Use this time together to reflect on things happening during their day, or talk about things you’re grateful for.

3. Volunteering as a family

This season is often misunderstood and children tend to focus on receiving rather than giving. 

Let it be a time to teach them the gift of giving! Volunteering is a wonderful way to instill values like empathy, generosity and gratitude They will learn the joy of giving back.

Kids can enjoy sharing toys, clothes, food and much more with those in need, this will help shift the focus from receiving to giving and building kindness and compassion.

In general, volunteering and giving back help children value what they have.

Their gratitude towards what they have increases and it builds a stronger sense of purpose and makes them feel a part of something bigger than themselves.

4. Creating a holiday gratitude Jar

Before bedtime, each person can reflect on their day and write down one thing they are grateful for to place in a jar.

This could be as simple as “I’m thankful for having read a book with Baba” or “I’m grateful for spending time with Mama.”

At the end of the month, you can open the jar and read through the notes, sharing the moments together.

The point behind this exercise is helping ourselves and children see the moments that often go unnoticed.

The little things we might not focus on during our busy days.

With time, children will learn to pause and enjoy the moment while it’s still happening!

5.Holiday movie nights

This one is simple, watching holiday movies together for a little bit of coziness and fun is a great way to connect. 

Soft fluffy blankets and hot chocolate result in memorable nights together! To make this activity even more meaningful, you can discuss the movie, its message and everyone’s favourite part.

You can relate it to your everyday lives and how it links to your family values.

 The power of tradition

What I’ve tried to share in Family Flavours over the years — and in this article especially — is that parenting isn’t about perfection or extravagance.

This season is never about the fancy gifts or feasts, it’s about taking time to connect, celebrate and reflect together as a family.

Any tradition you create with your children will eventually become their cherished holiday memories.

Focusing on what really matters will help them foster a deep sense of belonging and security.

By prioritising values, connection and family, you help nurture a culture that will remain with your children long after you are gone.

After all, these moments and values will be the true gifts that your children will carry with them into adulthood.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

LOS ANGELES, United States — David Lynch -- the singular and surreal director of "Mulholland Drive" and television's "Twin Peaks," who depicted the darkness lurking beneath the wholesome surface of American life -- has died. He was 78 years old.

An enigmatic artist who turned his hand to arthouse and blockbuster film, television, painting and music, Lynch was considered first and foremost one of US cinema's great auteurs.

"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch," read a statement on his official Facebook page.

"There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us. But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.'"

The cause and location of death were not specified. Lynch, who lived in Los Angeles, had suffered from emphysema after years of heavy smoking.

He emerged on the US indie scene with his groundbreaking 1977 horror "Eraserhead," a creepy and now cult classic shot on a shoestring budget over five years because he kept running out of money.

Lynch acquired a devoted following with critically adored films including sadomasochist mystery "Blue Velvet" (1986) and surreal thriller "Mulholland Drive" (2001).

But he may be best remembered for his mesmerizing 1990s series "Twin Peaks", which paved the way for many a prestige television drama to follow.

With four Oscar nominations, including a trio of best director nods, the filmmaker recognisable by his shock of white hair took home just one honourary statuette, in 2019.

'Fearless' 

Tributes from across Hollywood were swiftly posted to social media.

"#RIPDavidLynch, a gracious man and fearless artist who followed his heart & soul and proved that radical experimentation could yield unforgettable cinema," wrote director Ron Howard.

"David Lynch, RIP. At least that's what the horse wearing a fez just told me* in a dream. (*Backwards and in Swedish)," said comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, in a nod to Lynch's highly surreal style.

Born in small-town Montana in 1946, the son of a US Department of Agriculture research scientist, Lynch travelled extensively around Middle America as a young man.

He attended fine arts colleges in both Boston and Philadelphia, where he studied painting.

A one-minute animated film caught the eye of the American Film Institute, where he began work on what would later become "Eraserhead".

That was followed by 1980's "The Elephant Man", also shot in black-and-white and deeply tragic, but decidedly more mainstream and accessible. Lynch earned his first best director Oscar nomination.

Based on the diary of Joseph Merrick, the so-called "Elephant Man" born in the United States in 1862 with a condition that gave him a severely deformed physical appearance, it starred Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt.

An attempt to adapt sci-fi novel "Dune" into a blockbuster in 1984 would be one of Lynch's less well-received efforts, though it still has its admirers.

Lynch pivoted back to his arthouse roots with "Blue Velvet", about a young man who comes home from college and finds a severed ear. His investigation uncovers the sinister side of small-town America.

It starred Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper, along with his regular collaborators Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern, and is often heralded as his greatest work. It also earned Lynch's second Academy Award nomination for directing.

After winning the top prize Palme d'Or at Cannes with "Wild at Heart" in 1990, Lynch turned his attention to television with "Twin Peaks," which captivated and shocked American in equal measure from its 1990 launch.

The tale of a tight-knit north-western town reacting to the rape and murder of a popular but troubled high school girl, it was years ahead of its time and far more sophisticated than most network programming even today.

But ratings plummeted as the show's second season lost its direction after the purported meddling of ABC executives, and was cancelled. An even darker 1992 prequel film was initially panned by critics, but is now considered a classic.

'Singular and irreplaceable' 

After returning to film with "Lost Highway" and "The Straight Story", Lynch in 2001 made his second undisputed masterpiece, "Mulholland Drive”, which brought Lynch his third best director Oscar nomination.

In a baffling world of hallucinations and cryptic happenings, Naomi Watts plays a naive actress who meets a mysterious brunette suffering amnesia, before everything gets inverted in an astonishing twist that still has fans arguing over its meaning to this day.

Film writer David Thomson called it "one of the greatest films ever made about the cultural devastation caused by Hollywood".

Lynch's final full-length feature film was 2006's inscrutable "Inland Empire", although he returned to the world of "Twin Peaks" with an acclaimed sequel series for cable network Showtime in 2017.

But he never retired, continuing to produce short films, music and paintings from his studio and home -- appropriately located just outside Hollywood, on Mulholland Drive.

He regularly posted whimsical weather updates to his YouTube channel, underlining the optimistic and playful man behind his often troubling art.

"It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way," said his family's tribute Thursday.

"I join you in the depths of this grief, in love and in reverence and celebration of someone who is singular and irreplaceable," wrote his "Twin Peaks" collaborator, singer Chrystabell.

PARIS — Nintendo is betting on the 2025 release of a bigger, better version of its blockbuster Switch console to keep up the success of the third best-selling games machine of all time.

But the Japanese giant is keeping players waiting for full details of the successor model, showing off the console's appearance in a slick video Thursday but delaying any detailed information until an April 2 livestream.

In the just over two-minute video, Nintendo shows off a console that looks similar to the original hybrid Switch, which can be handheld or connected to a TV screen.

The Switch 2 boasts a larger central tablet-like screen with a kickstand and a similar layout to its predecessor, with paired "joy-con" controllers that clip to its sides with magnets.

During the video, the console also shows off a new version of the long-running Mario Kart series both on its built-in screen and on a TV, after the latest instalment, "Mario Kart 8", sold more than 64 million copies.

The company said in a statement on Thursday that the new machine "plays Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games, as well as both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games" -- which would fulfil a promise on backwards compatibility with the old console that it made in November.

But it added that "certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2" -- adding that further details would come "at a later date".

'Just what folks wanted'

Nintendo's announcement was "just what was expected and what folks wanted. A bigger, more powerful Switch," Mat Piscatella, an analyst at market research firm Circana, posted on Bluesky.

"It should sell very well, and be a big boost to the existing market, but [I] don't see expanded reach," he added.

Nintendo also said that several "Nintendo Switch 2 Experience" events would be held in major cities around the world starting April 4 to give gamers an opportunity to test the new console.

Players have long been hungry for news on a follow-up to the original Switch, which has sold more than 146 million units worldwide since hitting shelves in 2017.

That makes the Switch the third-best-selling console ever after Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's DS.

Mounting speculation had been stoked in recent weeks by leaks about some technical details.

Nintendo estimates it has sold 1.3 billion copies of Switch titles, including "Animal Crossing: New Horizons", which became a must-play among all age groups during Covid-19 lockdowns.

'Well-loved franchises'

With sales of the original Switch falling, Nintendo had promised to unveil the new console by the end of March this year.

At the same time, the Kyoto-based company has been diversifying into theme parks around the world and funding films based on its games and characters, like 2023's global second-place box office performer "The Super Mario Bros. Movie".

"However, Nintendo still generates approximately 91 percent of its revenue from its Nintendo Switch business, which shows the importance of the Switch 2," said Darang Candra, an analyst with games market research firm Niko Partners.

Candra said the long life of the first Switch was Nintendo's attempt to create a precedent, getting out of the rat-race of rapid updates to hardware.

"Development costs and timelines have increased significantly in recent years in a way that may not be sustainable, particularly as the games industry sees a downturn in the last year," he added.

That appears to be in line with expectations from some lovers of Nintendo's games.

"The fans of Nintendo love what Nintendo does at its core -- which is creating new content for existing and well-loved franchises that players have played since they were kids," said LottieRoseGames, a 29-year-old streamer specialising in "Animal Crossing".

LONDON — "Conclave" and "Emilia Perez" on Wednesday led the shortlist of films battling for recognition at Britain's BAFTA awards, as the race for Oscars glory gathers pace.

"Conclave", a fictionalised account of high-stakes horse-trading in the Vatican after the death of a pope, earned 12 nominations while surreal narco-thriller musical "Emilia Perez" followed close behind with 11.

Both will compete for the coveted best film award at next month's ceremony, alongside Cannes favourite "Anora", Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" and epic immigrant drama "The Brutalist", which notched up nine nominations.

Hit musical "Wicked", which last week topped the nominations for the influential Screen Actors Guild Awards, and "Dune: Part Two" were the other leading BAFTA contenders, with seven nods each.

Unexpected hit "Kneecap", a docu-fiction about three Belfast upstarts who rap in the Irish language, racked up six nominations, including for original screenplay, outstanding British film and casting.

It has been longlisted for two Oscars, with the announcement of the final Academy Awards nominations delayed for a second time to January 23 due to the devastating wildfires gripping Los Angeles.

This year's awards season is seen as highly unpredictable, with an international crop of movies all considered plausible contenders for success on Hollywood's biggest night on March 2.

The BAFTAs, the highlight of the annual British film calendar, will this year be held two weeks earlier, on February 16, at London's Royal Festival Hall and hosted by Scottish actor David Tennant.

Array of contenders 

"I'm really excited that we don't just have what's typically considered an award film... we got horror, we got sci-fi, we got musicals!" BAFTA film committee chair Anna Higgs told reporters.

"It's a more open award race this year and that is really exciting."

French director Jacques Audiard's Mexico-set "Emilia Perez" and "The Brutalist" will be strong contenders after both were the big winners at the Golden Globes earlier this month.

The director award pits Audiard against Edward Berger ("Conclave"), Sean Baker ("Anora"), Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist") Denis Villeneuve ("Dune: Part Two") and Coralie Fargeat ("The Substance").

German-born Berger claimed a BAFTA two years ago with his adaptation of "All Quiet on the Western Front", while France's Fargeat is the only woman nominated in the directing category.

Her ultra-gory horror film about the pressures women face to maintain bodily perfection as they age, starring Demi Moore, won best screenplay at Cannes.

Moore scooped a Golden Globe for her portrayal in the film, and will now hope to add a BAFTA to her awards collection.

She will compete with Karla Sofia Gascon, the star of "Emilia Perez", who is transgender, Cynthia Erivo ("Wicked"), Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Hard Truths"), Mikey Madison ("Anora") and Saoirse Ronan ("The Outrun") for leading actress recognition.

The leading actor award will see Adrien Brody ("The Brutalist"), Ralph Fiennes ("Conclave"), Timothee Chalamet ("A Complete Unknown"), Colman Domingo ("Sing Sing"), Hugh Grant ("Heretic") and Sebastian Stan ("The Apprentice") all compete.

Fiennes, a previous Oscar nominee who won a best supporting actor BAFTA in 1994 for "Schindler's List", stars as a cardinal overseeing the election of a new pope in the acclaimed hit "Conclave".

The supporting actress nominations see US pop singer Ariana Grande nominated for "Wicked", alongside Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana (both "Emilia Perez"), Felicity Jones ("The Brutalist"), Jamie Lee Curtis ("The Last Showgirl") and Isabella Rossellini ("Conclave").

ROME — Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, best known for his work on Benetton's provocative advertising campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s including one featuring an AIDS sufferer, died on Monday aged 82.

Toscani, who spent two decades as art director for the fashion retailer, revealed in August he suffered from the incurable disease amyloidosis and had lost 40 kilogrammes.

"With great sadness we announce that today, January 13, 2025, our beloved Oliviero has embarked on his next journey," his family said in a statement on Instagram, asking for privacy.

Toscani was known for using viscerally shocking images not only to sell products but also to draw attention to social themes from AIDS and racism to the death penalty or mafia killings.

Most controversial was Toscani's use of a photograph of AIDS sufferer David Kirby on his deathbed surrounded by his family for a 1992 Benetton campaign during the peak of the health crisis in the United States.

The campaign sparked a backlash by AIDS activists and a boycott of Benetton, but Toscani stood by his work.

In a 2016 interview with a photography blog, he maintained that a company had a responsibility to "show its social intelligence and sensitivity to the society around it".

Benetton on Monday paid tribute to his work.

"In order to explain certain things, words simply don't suffice. You taught us that," the firm said, adding: "Farewell Oliviero. Keep on dreaming."

Backlash, censorship 

Toscani's work for Benetton -- from 1982 to 2000 and again from 2017-2020 -- was both applauded and reviled.

It included campaigns featuring a black woman breastfeeding a white child, a nun and priest kissing, a still-bloody newborn with umbilical cord attached, and an array of colourful condoms against a white background.

Beyond consumer backlashes and boycotts some of his "United Colours of Benetton" campaigns were censored in Italy and France.

Some of his other work was similarly controversial.

Toscani's 2007 photograph for fashion brand Nolita of the nude and severely anorexic model Isabelle Caro -- who later died of the disease -- was timed to correspond with Milan Fashion Week.

It was shown on billboards with "No Anorexia" over the photo.

"Photography is ethical engagement! I don't give a damn about photographic aesthetics," Toscani told the Corriere della Sera newspaper in August.

Asked which photo he would like to be remembered for, he told the paper: "For the entirety, for the commitment."

"It is not an image that makes history, it is an ethical, aesthetic, political choice to make with your work," he said.

Born February 28, 1942 in Milan, Toscani was the son of a respected Corriere photographer and attended art school in Zurich.

Soon he began his work in fashion photography, collaborating with top fashion names, including his eventual long association with Benetton.

The retailer broke ties with Toscani in 2020, however, after dismissive comments he made about the 2018 tragic bridge collapse in Genoa that killed 43 people.

The Benetton family was the main shareholder of the company that managed the bridge at the time of the disaster.

LAS VEGAS — From an adorable robot puppy that soothes dementia patients to an in-toilet gadget for testing urine, tech at CES caters to seniors around the world.

"Age Tech" was on display at the Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday as entrepreneurs take on challenges that come with getting older.

"There's a huge interest among older Americans who want to integrate these technologies into their plans to age in their homes," said Patty David, vice president of consumer insights at AARP, an interest group devoted to retirees in the United States.

The US market for tech tailored for those 50 years of age or older is projected to reach $120 billion by 2030, according to Davis.

AARP was on the CES show floor with a group of entrepreneurs in the sector.

The proportion of the world's population over the age of 65 is growing faster than the number of those on the younger side of that number, according to United Nations data.

"For senior care, one of the big barriers is just accessing care," said Starling Medical chief executive Hannah McKenney, who was at CES with a device that affixes in a toilet to automatically check pee for urinary tract infections.

"If you're able to seamlessly track their sleep schedule, their eating, their movements, their urinalysis, you can intervene a lot sooner and get them the care that they need."

Urinary tract infections are a common cause of urgent care visits and even of elderly people winding up in senior care facilities, McKenney said.

Ageing at home

Nearly 90 per cent of older adults in the US think it is important to age at home, while just about as many also have worries regarding being able to do that, research released Wednesday by the AARP and CES organisers showed.

Gadgets that watch for falls, keep people company, or make sure medicine is taken can help older people live longer and independently.

Top technologies being eyed by the older crowd in the US are connected medical alert devices, digital blood pressure monitors, electric wheelchairs, indoor security cameras, and gadgets for remembering to take medicines, according to AARP research.

Canine companions

Tom Stevens, founder and CEO of a company called Tombot, which makes robotic animals, said he was motivated to be part of the solution after the heartbreaking experience of taking away his mother's dog when she was diagnosed with dementia.

"I looked around for substitutes for live animal companions, but she didn't like anything that I brought home," Stevens said.

He was at CES with a Tombot robot dog, based on a Labrador Retriever puppy, that wags its tail, barks and even falls asleep. It is designed to be a soothing, low-maintenance companion.

Stevens plans to make a robot cat for feline lovers.

"The reactions are smiles and a desire to be near it and take care of it and care about its wellbeing despite the fact that they understand it's a robot and not a real animal," Stevens said of the robot pup.

AI lipstick help

Age tech is also seeking to boost people's self-esteem, with Brazil-based beauty giant Grupo Boticario demonstrating a prototype "Smart Lipstick" system that employs artificial intelligence to apply lipstick tastefully.

As people get older, their vision tends to fade and hands can grow less steady, resulting in makeup mishaps.

"We believe that beauty is for all, and this is what we are trying to do with this kind of technology," Boticario research scientist Milene Haraguchi Padilha said during a demonstration.

"This is really good for self-esteem; the feedback we get brings tears to our eyes."

Despite the desire and need for senior tech, people who didn't grow up in the internet age can find it daunting, the AARP report indicated.

"There are some hesitancies in adoption, including price, ease of use, and data security," said David, who authored the report.

By Sheela Sheth,
Culinary Herb Enthusiast

Mustard is a must in my spice box. It is one of the world’s oldest savoury spices which packs a punch of probiotics into our family’s diet.

Mustard greens and its seeds are both derived from plants in the Brassica family like cabbage and Kale.

The shelf life of mustard is considerably longer than that of other condiments due to its low pH levels, which inhibit the growth of pathogens—meaning bacteria.

Medicinal properties: 

The nutritional profile of mustard boasts a plentiful supply of essential minerals including calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus and Zinc.

This helps in strengthening bones and teeth.

In addition to being a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids and an antioxidant, its selenium content contributes to its property of being anti-inflammatory and has heart health benefits.

The phosphorous content of yellow mustard contributes to the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fats in the body.

The pungent nature of mustard helps in treating cold and cough by clearing nasal congestion and respiratory disorders.

The electrolytes in mustard, specially sodium and potassium, can prevent leg cramps after exercise.

Beauty Bursts:

The mustard seeds and the oil are known for their warming and stimulating properties.

Warm mustard oil massage was my Nana’s favourite recipe for joint pain and hair growth.

Let me also share with you another interesting fact; brushing with mustard oil also improves oral hygiene and prevents bad breath.

Mustard seeds and mustard oil have been an integral part of Indian medicine.

Mustard seeds play a vital role in the wellness journey, whether it is lifestyle changes or specialised treatments.

Culinary tips:

Tempering is an important part of Indian cooking which elevates the flavour and gives a final touch to a recipe.

Every part of the mustard plant, starting from its leaves to its seeds, are used for consumption.

Black seeds, which have the sharpest taste, are used extensively in Indian cooking for their nutty flavour and distinct aroma.

Mustard greens, on the other hand, offer a delicacy to Indian vegetarian recipes and are my family’s favourite.

In my kitchen, I use mustard paste and mustard oil in pickling and making relishes. 

We all know Dijon mustard which is yellow and used extensively as a relish.

Did you Know?

In India, mustard is believed to have magical properties like warding off evil bringing good luck France is one of the largest consumers of mustard especially given its cultural affinity for mustard in cuisine, particularly Dijon mustard Canada holds the title for the highest per capita mustard consumption, largely due to its production and export of mustard seeds.

Mustard greens thrive in cool weather and mature during 30 - 40 days making them ideal for spring or fall planting.

Leaves harvested after a mild frost are sweeter and more flavourful.

Growing mustard greens in my kitchen garden adds greenery to my winter foliage as you can continuously harvest it throughout the season like chives, Swiss chard and kale.

Contraindications:

A word of caution for people with oxalate urinary tract stones; they should avoid eating mustard greens as it has a high content of vitamin K and may change their blood coagulation times.

From my kitchen to yours Here’ my recipe for mustard oil for massage:

1. Add ½ cup yellow or black mustard seeds to ½ cup olive oil and ½ cup coconut oil.

2. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a blender.

3. Warm the oil and store it in a bottle. You can use this oil for massage and as a hair oil too!

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

Book Review: ‘Working Women in Jordan: Education, Migration, and Aspiration’
Fida J. Adely
Chicago/London: The University of Chicago Press, 2024, 201 pages

Fida Adely, a professor at Georgetown University, doesn’t write about famous people or monuments. Instead, she engages with everyday issues and so-called ordinary people, searching for the extraordinary in the ordinary. This was the case with her first book, “Gender Paradox”, which lead her to interview high school girls in North Jordan, about how they viewed the link between education, work, marriage and raising a family. In this, her new book, she interviews mainly young women who have chosen to leave their provincial town or village, to work in Amman.

Surely Adely’s Jordanian heritage playeda role in her decision to do research in Jordan, but one also senses her intense intellectual curiosity, striving to discover what motivates people and how they cope with their life--its opportunities, problems and challenges.

To undertake this ethnographic study, Adely interviewed dozens of women, most in their twenties, over a period of five years, beginning in 2011. The inclusion of their stories provides a lively, down-to-earth point of departure for her analysis. Though diverse in many respects, they were united in being well educated and convinced that their education qualified them for better jobs than were available in the provinces. They were also seeking independence. Many had been trained in engineering or computer science. “Entry into these fields is also facilitated by cultural norms that do not mark the study of math or science as gendered fields more suitable to men, as is the case in the United States, for example.” (p. 7)

This book overturns some common misconceptions about Jordanian society. Contrary to expectations, many of the women interviewed were supported by their parents in their decision to seek employment in the capital. The author outlines the economic changes in recent decades that underlie evolving gender and social norms, such as reduced state welfare, neoliberal policies, privatisation and the creation of more private sector jobs, including with NGOs and humanitarian aid work. While the women interviewed were able to take advantage of these changes, they were also clearly makers of such change. A historical chapter puts these more recent changes in perspective.

Most of these women eventually found a suitable job; most lived in dormitories; many supported their family financially,and most had to deal with negative assumptions about their provincial or tribal origins.“The aspirations of these women and their trajectories, while clearly shaped by economic forces—perceived opportunities, ideas about valuable labor, and ongoing economic crisis—cannot be reduced to them.”  (p. 148) 

   Though some of the young women worried that migration and prioritising their career might be an obstacle to marriage, they were also aware that men increasingly seek partners who can contribute to covering rising household expenses. In fact, a number of the interviewees did marry in the course of the study. To describe these young women seeking a new life and professional advancement, Adely applies the term “creative agency” to denote their decisions and actions. 

LONDON — British researchers have unearthed some 200 dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years in a find believed to be biggest in the UK.

Teams from Oxford and Birmingham Universities made the "exhilarating" discovery at a quarry in Oxfordshire in central England after a worker came across "unusual bumps" as he was stripping clay back with a mechanical digger, according to a new BBC documentary.

The site features five extensive trackways, with the longest continuous track stretching more than 150 metres in length.

Four of the five trackways uncovered are believed to have been made by a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur, most likely a cetiosaurus.

The fifth set of tracks likely belongs to a nine-metre long carnivorous megalosaurus known for its distinctive three-toed feet with claws, according to the University of Birmingham.

"It's rare to find them so numerous in one place and it's rare to find such extensive trackways as well," Emma Nicholls of Oxford University's Museum of Natural History told AFP.

The area could turn out to be one of the world's biggest dinosaur track sites, she added.

The discovery will feature in the BBC television documentary "Digging for Britain", due to be broadcast on January 8.

'So surreal' 

A 100-strong team led by academics from Oxford and Birmingham excavated the tracks during a week-long dig in June.

The new footprints follow a smaller discovery in the area in 1997, when 40 sets were uncovered during limestone quarrying, with some trackways reaching up to 180 metres in length.

The researchers took 20,000 photographs of the latest footprints and created detailed 3D models of the site using aerial drone photography.

It is hoped the discovery will provide clues about how dinosaurs interacted, as well as their size and the speeds at which they moved.

"Knowing that this one individual dinosaur walked across this surface and left exactly that print is so exhilarating," the Oxford museum's Duncan Murdock told the BBC.

"You can sort of imagine it making its way through, pulling its legs out of the mud as it was going," he added.

Richard Butler, a palaeobiologist from the University of Birmingham, said some chance weather may be the reason the tracks had been so well preserved.

"We don't know exactly... but it might be that there was a storm event that came in, deposited a load of sediments on top of the footprints, and meant that they were preserved rather than just being washed away," he said.

Quarry worker Gary Johnson, whose watchfulness triggered the excavation, said the experience had been spellbinding.

"I thought I'm the first person to see them. And it was so surreal -- a bit of a tingling moment, really," he said.